TETFUND: Public varsities get N208bn in 2019 budget

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday says tertiary institutions across the country will get N208 billion as intervention fund under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) projects in 2019.

Buhari revealed this at the 23rd convocation of the University of Abuja where a total of 4,946 students graduated from the institution with 24 First Class Honours.

“The present administration will continue to improve on the infrastructural facilities in the universities, promote teacher development and curriculum review.

“It is in furtherance of this that I recently approved the disbursement of N208billion to public tertiary institutions under the 2019 intervention of the TETFUND.”

The president, represented by Mr Sonny Echono, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, the current administration would continue to provide funding to fix challenges in the public institutions.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria will be a global player in the emerging knowledge economy. What is required is to ensure the quality of our human capital and also maintain the desirable balance for sustainable national socio-economic growth and development.

“The government will continue to look into the issues raised by the universities especially regarding physical development and will equally monitor the universities closely. I also seize this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Federal Government to addressing youth unemployment.”

In the budget, N3 billion was earmarked for the provision of security infrastructure in 104 Colleges and another N4.64 billion for various scholarship allowances. This is from N58.69 billion approved capital expenditure for the year.